PASADENA >> A crime lab analyst testified Friday that DNA on a gun found near the scene of a 2012 Pasadena murder did not match the suspect in the case.

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department DNA analyst Stephanie Sandoval said she tested DNA residue from a gun found a few houses away from the scene of the shooting by a gardener a week after the shooting occurred. DNA from the gun matched an unknown male, but not suspect Rashad McCoy, she said.

During cross-examination, she said that it was possible other DNA could have washed off or deteriorated if it had been sitting in the yard for a week. She also testified that some people do not deposit DNA residue when they touch surfaces or objects.

McCoy, 25, has been charged with murder for the September 2012 slaying of 23-year-old Joseph Jones. He is also charged with attempted, willful, deliberate and premeditated murder with special allegations of intentionally discharging a firearm and committing the offense in association with a criminal street gang.

He could face life in prison if convicted.

However, public defender Cris Contreras has argued that McCoy was not the shooter and has alluded to other possible suspects mentioned in witness testimony.

In the fifth day of jury trial Friday, Contreras called Robert Spurlock, who lives two houses away from the corner where the shooting occurred in northwest Pasadena. Spurlock testified that the gun Sandoval examined was found by his gardener in the flower bed of his front yard in the first week of October. The gun was a pink revolver.

Witnesses for the prosecutor had previously testified they saw the shooter with a black revolver.

Firearms examiner Robert Keil testified Thursday that the LASD report could not determine a match to the bullet found in Jones’ body. It was not clear whether the gun that Keil’s LASD colleague tested was the same gun swabbed for DNA evidence.

Testimony on Thursday revealed that a person named Joe, who had been dealing marijuana to Joseph Jones, may have threatened Jones the day of the shooting. Other testimony revealed that some witnesses identified another person as the shooter.

The final witness Friday was Clover Thomas, who lives near the scene of the shooting. Thomas testified that her home is a hang-out place for many of the neighborhood youths, including McCoy and the person some witnesses identified as the shooter.

Spurlock also testified he often sees young males frequent Thomas’ house.

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Thomas mouthed “I love you” to McCoy as she left the courtroom.

The day’s testimony ended early because the next defense witness did not show up to court. Judge Darrell Mavis issued a warrant for the witness’ arrest Friday afternoon.

The jury trial is scheduled to continue Monday morning in Pasadena court.